Forecasters say severe thunderstorms likely on Wednesday

In this file photo Lightning streaks across the sky in Tyler, Texas as a line of thunderstorms from reaching from Texas, to Chicago move east, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman)

Published: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:54 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:54 p.m.

National Weather Service forecasters say Marion County could experience a round of severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon when a front passes over the area.

Jason Hess, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said Wednesday's high temperature in Marion should be near 80 degrees when the front arrives, bringing cooler air to collide with the warmth.

At noon Monday, a line of thunderstorms stretched from Texas to North Carolina, with the front expected to slowly move southward. A high pressure over Florida was keeping the front from rapidly approaching the Sunshine State.

A damaging tornado in Mississippi was born out of the same thunderstorm-packing front. The tornado damaged many homes and injured more than 80 on Sunday.

Though thunderstorms are expected to bring needed rain to the area, possibly through Friday, forecasters say they do not expect deluges. Rain totals may only reach a half inch — maybe an inch in some isolated areas.

Marion County needs the rain. Since Jan. 1, the official rain gauge in Ocala has recorded only 0.73 inches of rain. Since Nov. 1, a span of 102 days, Marion has received only 4.18 inches of rain, nearly five inches below normal.

Forecasters say there will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon Tuesday as the front approaches.

Wednesday morning's low is expected to be about 60 degrees, 14 degrees above normal for this time of year.

The forecast then calls for a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms from about 2 p.m. Wednesday until daybreak Thursday.

There will be a noticeable change in temperatures after the front passes. The high Thursday is expected to be only 67 degrees, slightly below average.

Hess said there is a chance the front could stall south of Interstate 4 near Orlando, thus there's a 20 percent chance Marion could receive some showers on Thursday and Friday.

Friday morning's daybreak low is expected to be 46 degrees, or normal for mid-February.

Forecasters are calling for the daybreak low to be 44 degrees on Saturday and 36 degrees on Sunday. Sunday's high is expected to be about 60 degrees, 13 degrees below normal for this time of year, forecasters said.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management will acknowledge the week with a five-day, seven city tour to recognize seven poster contest winners and raise awareness about emergency preparedness in Florida.

“We are excited to bring Severe Weather Awareness Week to each region of the state as we work towards building a culture of preparedness in Florida through our students,” said Bryan W. Koon, the state's emergency management director.

Koon said he hopes “to reach beyond their doors and into the communities to ensure all of Florida's families and businesses are prepared for severe weather that can impact Florida any time of year.”

The county's official forecast is issued by the National Weather Service, while the Star-Banner's weather page uses AccuWeather forecasts. Sometimes those predictions differ.

Since Marion County is the size of Rhode Island, low temperatures can be 3 to 5 degrees colder to the north and west of Ocala, including the city of Dunnellon.

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.

<p>National Weather Service forecasters say Marion County could experience a round of severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon when a front passes over the area.</p><p>Jason Hess, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said Wednesday's high temperature in Marion should be near 80 degrees when the front arrives, bringing cooler air to collide with the warmth.</p><p>At noon Monday, a line of thunderstorms stretched from Texas to North Carolina, with the front expected to slowly move southward. A high pressure over Florida was keeping the front from rapidly approaching the Sunshine State.</p><p>A damaging tornado in Mississippi was born out of the same thunderstorm-packing front. The tornado damaged many homes and injured more than 80 on Sunday.</p><p>Though thunderstorms are expected to bring needed rain to the area, possibly through Friday, forecasters say they do not expect deluges. Rain totals may only reach a half inch — maybe an inch in some isolated areas.</p><p>Marion County needs the rain. Since Jan. 1, the official rain gauge in Ocala has recorded only 0.73 inches of rain. Since Nov. 1, a span of 102 days, Marion has received only 4.18 inches of rain, nearly five inches below normal.</p><p>Forecasters say there will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon Tuesday as the front approaches.</p><p>Wednesday morning's low is expected to be about 60 degrees, 14 degrees above normal for this time of year.</p><p>The forecast then calls for a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms from about 2 p.m. Wednesday until daybreak Thursday.</p><p>There will be a noticeable change in temperatures after the front passes. The high Thursday is expected to be only 67 degrees, slightly below average.</p><p>Hess said there is a chance the front could stall south of Interstate 4 near Orlando, thus there's a 20 percent chance Marion could receive some showers on Thursday and Friday.</p><p>Friday morning's daybreak low is expected to be 46 degrees, or normal for mid-February.</p><p>Forecasters are calling for the daybreak low to be 44 degrees on Saturday and 36 degrees on Sunday. Sunday's high is expected to be about 60 degrees, 13 degrees below normal for this time of year, forecasters said.</p><p>The threat of severe weather comes as Gov, Rick Scott proclaimed this week — Feb. 11-15 — as 2013 Severe Weather Awareness Week.</p><p>The Florida Division of Emergency Management will acknowledge the week with a five-day, seven city tour to recognize seven poster contest winners and raise awareness about emergency preparedness in Florida.</p><p>“We are excited to bring Severe Weather Awareness Week to each region of the state as we work towards building a culture of preparedness in Florida through our students,” said Bryan W. Koon, the state's emergency management director.</p><p>Koon said he hopes “to reach beyond their doors and into the communities to ensure all of Florida's families and businesses are prepared for severe weather that can impact Florida any time of year.”</p><p>The county's official forecast is issued by the National Weather Service, while the Star-Banner's weather page uses AccuWeather forecasts. Sometimes those predictions differ.</p><p>Since Marion County is the size of Rhode Island, low temperatures can be 3 to 5 degrees colder to the north and west of Ocala, including the city of Dunnellon.</p><p><i>Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.</i></p>